Scenic Hudson Joins Coalition Opposing Cement Plant
by Jay Burgess
Continuing its longtime commitment to protecting the Hudson Valley's scenic, historic and cultural treasures and furthering its pursuit of sustainable development for the region, Scenic Hudson, Inc. recently announced its opposition to the St. Lawrence Cement Plant proposed for the Town of Greenport and City of Hudson in Columbia County.
We have joined a coalition of local and regional historic preservation organizations and community groups to fight the project. The Hudson Valley Preservation Coalition - which includes Citizens for the Hudson Valley; Clover Reach; Concerned Women of Claverack; Historic Hudson, Inc.; Hudson Antique Dealers Assoc.; Hudson River Heritage; and the Natural Resources Defense Council - will formally seek party status in a filing with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on Wednesday, July 11. This will enable Scenic Hudson and its coalition partners to participate more fully in New York State's Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process.
Scenic Hudson announced its opposition to the plant and formation of the Community Preservation Coalition on the eve of oral testimony by Scenic Hudson Executive Director Ned Sullivan to be given Wednesday, June 20 in a public hearing before Administrative Law Judge Helene Goldberger of the DEC.
Mr. Sullivan referred to Scenic Hudson's position on the plant by stating, "This is a massive facility out of character with the surrounding historic landscape and communities. We are concerned about negative effects on Greenport, Claverack, Hudson and beyond."
He further described the St. Lawrence's draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) as being deficient in its analysis of visual, noise, traffic and air quality concerns. He identified the proposed plant as a threat to the area's unique resources and overall quality of life.
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| FACT: The St. Lawrence Cement Plant would physically dominate the landscape with a 400-foot smoke stack and 6.5-mile plume. Each year the coal-fired facility would emit nearly 20 million pounds of pollution - about 24 percent more than a nearby plant it is intended to replace. |
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| Scenic Hudson Executive Director Ned Sullivan addressed citizens who gathered in late June to discuss concerns about the proposed plant. |
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